Metz's Discovery: Insulin and Fat

I am trying to figure out why I was getting fat even if I did everything from exercise to diet pills didn't seem to work. So I tried digging into the cause of fat a little more and from what I found out it was my diet that was the culprit. I was a call center employee for over 7 years and my diet started out as heavy meal at 10pm and ended with a light meal by the end of the day by 6am. Now that I no longer work at night my habits of eating remained the same causing my insulin levels to spike at the end of the day. From my research it is insulin that causes fat cells to store fat, followed by the lack of activity by night time = fat belly. So now I am reducing my intake of food at night to zero carbs as much as possible and to train my body to be hungry day time and not at night.

Another thing I also found out is that in order to get my muscles and cells to eat up the fat I needed High intensity work outs or something that will cause adrenaline to pump through my system. Since getting spooked into fight or flight mode I guess is out of the question then High Intensity work out and cardio is the only way to go.

Crossing my fingers about what am going to do about my fat battle plan and hope it works :) Till then xoxo

Metz's Diary Log: Shopping for new Stuff

Today was a rather interesting day. Me and office mates were supposed to go to Tagaytay but things change I guess according to what is fated. Instead of starting at around 8am we ended up meeting around 10 am. Because it was a bit too late so we decided to simply stay in the city and just use our money for shopping.

(Greenbelt)

We went to a coffee shop first and I just bought my favorite cranberry juice. We then went around to look for a gift for Alex our office mate as it was her birthday next week. I also bought a mask at the same place we bought her gift since I was planning to walk home daily now to help me loose weight as much as possible. We explored Greenbelt, Makati for the most part of the morning. When we couldn't find anything else we decided to go to St. Francis Mall.

(St. Francis Square)

St. Francis Mall is located in Ortigas just beside SM Megamall(one of the largest malls here in Metro Manila). We went around looking at all the bargains we could find and we found a lot that we really liked. I myself got a chinese charm bracelet, two shirts, and a bag. This mall had so much to see and it was both fun and tiring at the same time.

(SM Megamall)

We got exhausted from all the walking that we decided to go to another coffee shop in SM Megamall just to chill and relax. We even spotted participants of Cosplay(anime costume competition) which we went to and were pleasantly amused with all the people in weird costumes.
We finally ended our day with a delicious dinner in SM's Food Court before we said our goodbyes and went on our way.

I guess I have to admit that this day was rather productive and fun. Though a part of me still wished to have gone to Tagaytay but there will be time for that some other day.

Till the next time. xoxo

Metz Secret: Lonely and Confused

Feeling rather lonely today. I dont really like the feeling of isolation. Where did it originate from? Not really sure. I guess it stems from the need to truly belong somewhere. I try to fit in all the time, I tried to look for people that I would feel at home with, but it seems that the search isn't over - as right now I still feel isolated.

I have been different from the others, but everyone is unique and different - that is what my professor would say to me, my mentors say that in our uniqueness we find common ground and that over all we eventually find that we are truly alike. Confused about my statement? However that is what is inside my head - voices debating constantly and bickering and fighting to take control. Who should I follow? In time maybe I'll know - or maybe not.

One thing is for sure - I want the dreams that I have, the strange prophetic kinds to reveal why they are being shown to me in the first place. Why do I see things that happen to other people in my sleep? Is it all just coincidence? Or is this something solid and real? Am I still sane or am I going crazy?

Within these thoughts and now its release somehow the loneliness doesn't feel so bad. When will I feel this again? Who really knows, but when it does come back am going to need to talk about it yet again.

Who am I? What am I? What am I to become? Where am I going? all these questions of reflection and discovery has constantly affected every human mind in its development. Where it will lead is upto us.

Till the next need for gibberish :) xoxo

Metz's Anime Pick: Ghost Hunt

Browsing through the web for a new anime to watch has brought me to a series called "Ghost Hunt". Ghost Hunt (ゴーストハント, Gōsuto Hanto) is a manga series based on a light novel series called the Akuryou Series (悪霊シリーズ?) created by Fuyumi Ono. A radio drama for Akuryou Series was made in 1997. It was then converted by mangaka Shiho Inada to a shōjo manga series.

Currently, the manga runs in the shōjo magazine Nakayoshi, published by Kodansha. An anime based on manga by J.C. Staff premiered on October 3, 2006. The anime series consists of 25 episodes (approximately 20 minutes each).

On October 31, 2007 FUNimation Entertainment announced both their acquisition of the licensing rights to the anime, and the release date of the first DVD in the United States to be in the fall of 2008.

Here is the first of the episode for this series for you to enjoy - as always it is divided into easy to buffer parts to watch in youtube.com and all you have to do is type in these keywords to look for the next parts or episodes -- ghost hunt episode 1 1/3 -- simply replace the episode number or the part number once the search bar for youtube pops up at the end of the video.

Metz's Anime Pick: Blood Plus

Going through a list of anime that I had planned on watching over the weekend I found this one which I just realized I had not finished yet. Blood Plus's story goes like this: Under the care of her adoptive family, Saya Otonashi has been living the life of an anemic and amnesiac, but otherwise ordinary schoolgirl. Saya’s happy life is shattered when she is attacked by a chiropteran, learning that she is the only one who can defeat them.

Armed with her katana, Saya embarks on a journey with her family, allies, and her chevalier, Hagi, to rid the world of chiropteran and rediscover her identity. The course of the journey reveals the background history of the chiropterans and Saya's very deep past, which extends into the mid-19th century.

The series is initially set in present day (September 2005) Okinawa City (Koza), on Okinawa Island, near the US Kadena Air Base. In the course of the series, Saya visits locations across the world, fighting enemy chiropteran and searching for her origins.

Pretty Cool if you ask me and with all that being said below is the the first part of 3 of episode one which you can watch on youtube. Simply finish watching this part to get to the next part of the episode or at the end when the search option is available and you want to get to the more advanced episodes simply type in this format - blood plus episode 1 english (1/3) - simply replace the episode number with that of the number of the episode that you wish.

How many episodes are there? Here are the episodes listed out for you:

#	Title	Original air date[6]	US air date[7]
01	"First Kiss" "Fāsuto Kisu" (ファーストキス)	October 8, 2005	March 11, 2007
Saya Otonashi seems to be a fairly normal high school girl, except that she has no memory of her life beyond a year ago and she must have regular blood transfusions. Later, she comes across a mysterious man playing a cello whose song triggers a vague memory. When Saya goes to the school that night to retrieve her forgotten shoes, the cello player approaches her holding a dagger. Saya flees and runs into a teacher, who is then killed by a monster. Saya runs into the school, locking the door behind her, but the monster easily breaks through. The cello player appears and fights off the monster before grabbing Saya and taking her to safety in a classroom. There he tells her the monster is a chiropteran. The man kisses Saya, forcing her to drink his blood, then tells her she must fight.
02	"Magic Words" "Mahō no Kotoba" (魔法の言葉)	October 15, 2005	March 18, 2007
Saya coats a sword provided by the cello player with her blood, then strikes and kills the chiropteran. Saya awakens from her trance and then faints. The man carries Saya and Kai to safety as American soldiers flood the school. When Saya wakes up in the hospital, she has no memory of what happened. David tells George what happened at the school, and rebukes him for being so attached to Saya that he doesn't want to let "them" have her back. Saya starts having flashbacks about the events at the school and goes down to find her father. Overhearing the conversation, she gets upset and runs away from the hospital. At the beach, she meets the cello player again. She asks who and what she is. The man says he will tell her, but before he can, Kai finds her and the man leaves after a brief tussle with Kai.
03	"The Place Where it All Began" "Hajimari no Basho" (はじまりの場所)	October 22, 2005	March 25, 2007
David has given George a deadline to give Saya back to the Red Shield. George takes Saya to his family grave to show what happened to her one year ago.
04	"Dangerous Boy" "Abunai Shōnen" (あぶない少年)	October 29, 2005	April 8, 2007
George is attacked by a second chiropteran and is severely wounded. Kai leaves with his father's handgun to track down the monster hoping to kill it for revenge.The cello player finally introduces himself as Hagi.
05	"Beyond the Dark Forest" "Kurai Mori no Mukō e" (暗い森の向こうへ)	November 5, 2005	April 15, 2007
George has been transferred secretly to a hidden facility in Yanbaru (Nago), Northern Okinawa, under the authority of the American Forces there.
06	"My Father's Hands" "Otōsan no Te" (お父さんの手)	November 12, 2005	April 22, 2007
David, Saya and Hagi infiltrate the Yanbaru Center to rescue George. Meanwhile the Commander of the U.S. Forces in Okinawa has authorized surgical bombing of Yanbaru to remove any incriminating evidence. David, Saya and Hagi are suddenly attacked by chiropteran but George appears and helps. Kai arrives later to tell them the place is going to be bombed. George starts turning into a chiropteran but Saya mixes her blood with his so he dies still human.
07	"I Must Do It" "Watashi ga Yaranakya" (私がやらなきゃ)	November 19, 2005	April 29, 2007
Saya and her brothers are still shocked by the death of their father. Saya asks Hagi about her past. He tells her she can't know yet because the way she is now she cannot accept the truth.
08	"Phantom of the School" "Fantomu Obu Za Sukūru" (ファントム·オブ·ザ·スクール)	November 26, 2005	May 6, 2007
Saya is given the assignment to infiltrate a Vietnamese boarding school. Hagi goes undercover as the gardener. Saya learns about the Phantom and is later attacked by him. She then believes he is a chiropteran but is somehow different from the others.
09	"Rainbow for Each" "Sorezore no Niji" (それぞれの虹)	December 3, 2005	May 13, 2007
Left behind by David, Kai and Riku are searching for Saya in Hanoi. Riku and his new friend, Mui, get captured along with Kai.
10	"I Want to See You" "Anata ni Aitai" (あなたに会いたい)	December 10, 2005	May 20, 2007
Saya goes to the forbidden garden and finds the blue roses and a mysterious container. Later, she sees pictures of the Vietnam War resulting in flashbacks of her past. While being attacked by the Phantom once again, Saya finally accepts her past.
11	"After the Dance" "Dansu no Ato de" (ダンスのあとで)	December 17, 2005	May 27, 2007
David and Julia are making use of the opportunity provided by the annual Ball held in the boarding school to search for the mysterious container somehow connected to the events in Vietnam 30 years ago, while Saya dances with a charming stranger. Karl, who is the Phantom, attacks them later. David figures out the container holds Diva and they go after it.
12	"Lured by the White Mist" "Shiroi Kiri ni Sasowarete" (白い霧にさそわれて)	December 24, 2005	June 10, 2007
The Red Shield has tracked the container to a secret research farm in the Vietnamese jungle. Once they get there they are attacked by Chiropteran.
13	"Jungle Paradise" "Janguru Paradaisu" (ジャングル·パラダイス)	January 7, 2006	June 17, 2007
Under the mysterious influence of Diva, Saya starts to attack friends and foes alike just like 30 years ago. Kai stops Saya by yelling her name causing her to come back to herself. Solomon and Van get away with Diva while Saya fights Karl.

For the second season, the opening and closing sequences change. The opening theme used is "Seasons’ Call" by Hyde and the ending theme is changed to "Cry No More" by Mika Nakashima.

#	Title	Original air date[6]	US air date[8]
14	"The Last Sunday" "Saigo no Nichiyōbi" (さいごの日曜日)	January 14, 2006	June 24, 2007
The Miyagusuku family returns to Okinawa to say goodbye to their friends.
15	"I Want to Pursue!" "Oikaketai no!" (おいかけたいの!)	January 21, 2006	July 1, 2007
Ever since returning from Vietnam, journalist Akihiro Okamura is getting more and more obsessed about the events happening around Saya and his father's encounter with chiroptera near the Laos border 30 years ago. He is unable to continue his research until he gets unexpected help.
16	"Siberian Express" "Shiberian Ekusupuresu" (シベリアンエクスプレス)	January 28, 2006	July 8, 2007
David, Saya and others enter the Russian port of Vladivostok to board the Trans-Siberian express heading for Ekaterinburg, where a key scientist in chiropteran research was last seen. Before boarding they meet a red shield member named Liza who is later killed by Amshel, whom has taken upon the appearance of Liza. Two chiroptera appear on the train while en route.
17	"Do you Remember the Promise?" "Yakusoku Oboeteru?" (約束おぼえてる?)	February 4, 2006	July 15, 2007
Riku is pulled off the train by one of the chiroptera, and Hagi and Saya jump off to rescue him. Saya has a dream about her past in 1920's Russia with Hagi, tracking down Rasputin and Diva, who was disguised as Anastasia.
18	"Moon Over Ekaterinburg" "Ekaterinburugu no Tsuki" (エカテリンブルグの月)	February 11, 2006	July 22, 2007
David, Lewis and Kai's search for a defected Delta-67 scientist leads them to an abandoned nuclear facility called Sverdlovsk-51. Hagi, Saya, and Riku have reached Tyumen and board another train to reach Ekaterinburg.
19	"Broken Heart" "Oreta Kokoro" (折れたココロ)	February 18, 2006	July 29, 2007
Saya, Riku, and Hagi arrive at Ekaterinburg to rendezvous with David. Suddenly, Riku falls ill. Liza questions Saya about her true intentions for fighting chiroptera.
20	"Chevalier" "Shuvarie" (シュヴァリエ)	February 25, 2006	August 5, 2007
David and the others arrive at the Red Shield headquarters. Kai learns the truth about Saya from Joel's diary. In France, Amshel, Solomon, James and Nathan discuss Saya's fate.
21	"Sour Grapes" "Suppai Budō" (すっぱいぶどう)	March 4, 2006	August 12, 2007
Okamura and Mao are looking for clues about the '67 vintage wine in Chateau Duel. Saya and Hagi find themselves hunted by a group of artificial chiroptera known as the Schiff.
22	"The Zoo" "Dōbutsuen" (動物園)	March 11, 2006	August 19, 2007
Saya visits the ruins of Joel's mansion, known as "the Zoo". There, she recalls her first encounter with Hagi.
23	"Two Chevaliers" "Futari no Shuvarie" (ふたりのシュヴァリエ)	March 18, 2006	September 2, 2007
David and the others arrive at the Zoo. Solomon confronts Saya with his side of the story and tries to convince her to join him.
24	"Airy Singing Voice" "Karoyaka Naru Utagoe" (軽やかなる歌声)	March 25, 2006	September 9, 2007
Saya confronts Diva after Riku is lured into the bell tower by Diva's singing.
25	"The Red Shield" "Akai Tate" (赤い盾)	April 1, 2006	September 16, 2007
Okamura and Mao arrive at the Zoo only to find the end of a broken sword left behind. Saya returns to the Red Shield headquarters with Riku, who is wounded.

For the third season, the opening theme changes to "Colors of the Heart" by Uverworld and the ending theme changes to "This Love" by Angela Aki. The opening sequence of the third season was produced by animator Naoyoshi Shiotani and features an unusual mix of crayon, watercolor, and 3-D artwork. The sequence also uses cels and dermatographs, something rarely seen in modern Japanese anime productions. The sequence was nominated for the Holland Animation Film Festival's International Competition for Applied Animation awards in the Film Leader category.

#	Title	Original air date[6]	US air date[11]
26	"Those Who Serve Saya" "Saya ni Shitagau Mono" (サヤに従うもの)	April 8, 2006	September 23, 2007
Riku's eyes are now open and he is wondering about his newfound properties, such as why he thinks about Saya constantly and has an unquenchable thirst. Kai tries to make him eat, most likely trying to prove to himself that Riku is not a chiropteran or Saya's chevalier, but a human.
27	"Paris, Je t'Aime" "Pari Jutēmu" (パリ·ジュテーム)	April 15, 2006	October 7, 2007
In Paris, Kai follows Irène and saves her. She then tells him about the Schiff.
28	"Limited Existence" "Kagiri Aru Mono" (限りあるもの)	April 22, 2006	October 14, 2007
While the Red Shield is preparing for another attack by the Schiff, Okamura and Mao suddenly appear.
29	"Cursed Blood" "Norowareta Chi" (呪われた血)	April 29, 2006	October 21, 2007
After the Schiff's attack, Saya agrees to share her blood with Irene. After drinking her blood, Irene's body crystallizes and shatters. The Schiff realize that they have been lied to and that it is Diva's blood they need to survive. They leave, taking most of Irene's pieces with them. Saya and Kai mourn Irene's death.
30	"Joel's Diary" "Joeru no Nikki" (ジョエルの日記)	May 6, 2006	October 28, 2007
Saya visits Joel's Room in the Red Shield headquarters and learns about her and Diva's beginnings and the 1972 tragedy in Vietnam from Joel's Diary.
31	"Breaking Shield" "Koware Yuku Tate" (壊れゆく盾)	May 13, 2006	November 4, 2007
While Saya, Kai, Riku, and Hagi go on an outing and Riku tries to repair Saya and Kai's broken relationship, Diva demands Carl bring her "that boy," while Dr. Collins and Julia meet with Van about their research into chiroptera. Solomon meets with David and warns him that Diva's chevaliers plan to launch an all out attack on the Red Shield Headquarters in three days, and asks him to take Saya to safety. When David asks why, Solomon says it is because he doesn't want Saya to die. Solomon also reveals that the Red Shield has been betrayed from within. David quickly takes Saya and the others back to the ship, leaving Okamura and Mao behind. Solomon and the other chevaliers discover that Carl and Diva have disappeared. Dr. Collins reveals to Julia that he doesn't think chiroptera should be completely destroyed and that he knows about the planned attack on Headquarters. While the Red Shield prepares for the coming attack, Riku convinces Kai to play catch with Saya, which helps them finally return to normal. As they stand on the deck, Saya and Riku hear Diva singing just before Carl and Diva attack the ship. As Carl begins killing the Red Shield operatives, Diva wonders where "that boy" is.
32	"A Boy Meets A Girl" "Bōi Mītsu Gāru" (ボーイ·ミーツ·ガール)	May 20, 2006	November 11, 2007
Saya and Hagi search for Diva as Kai and Riku go to join David. Kai hears men screaming and goes to investigate, leaving Riku alone on one of the decks. He can hear Diva calling for him, but Kai returns and they head to the conference room. Saya finds Carl, but leaves Hagi to deal with him and so she can continue looking for Diva. Kai and Riku join some of the operatives at and elevator that will take them to the conference room, but when it arrives Diva is in it. Kai grabs Riku and runs, taking refuge in a storage room, while the men try to stop Diva. Saya finds the men's bodies, but Carl appears again and she's forced to fight him. Joel and David agree to activate the ship's self-destruct sequence to try to entomb Diva in it. Kai and Riku hear the warning about the self-destruct sequence, but Diva finds them. Kai shoots her, but she instantly heals and she knocks him away, leaving him barely conscious while Diva rapes Riku. Saya and Carl's battle takes them to the same room, where Diva is holding Kai and threatening to give him her blood. Saya stabs her, but as she forgot to add her blood to her sword, Diva just laughs and shoves her away. When she falls, Saya spots Riku's naked, cracking body near by; Diva taunts Saya that she gave him her blood, killing him. As Hagi holds off Carl, Kai and Saya watch helplessly as Riku's body shatter completely. David and Lewis find them and lead them back to the ship deck. They had tried to seal Diva and Carl in the ship's hold, but they easily break out and Carl seriously wounds Joel. Saya and Hagi stay to fight them while the others get away to safety. As Kai watches from the departing helicopter, the ship explodes.
33	"The Power of Believing" "Shinjiru Chikara" (信じるチカラ)	May 27, 2006	November 18, 2007
One year has passed since Riku's death and the destruction of the Red Shield Headquarters. Kai, Lewis, and David are now in London, living at a shelter for war orphans run by Gray, an ex-military man and David's former instructor. Kai now wears the crystal chunk from Riku's body around his neck in the form of a diamond-shaped pendant. Devastated by the events and with his spirit broken, David lives in a drunken stupor. Joel, confined to a wheelchair from the injury Carl gave him, brings Kai some special bullets they hope will be able to kill chiroptera. He also reveals that Julia is in the United States with Collins. Joel thinks David hates him for what happened and he blames himself for Riku death. Kai tells him he is determined to stop Diva and her chevaliers, and that he must do all that he can until Saya returns. Gray lectures David on his walling in self-pity when Kai has turned his loss into his strength and found his purpose. Later, Kai pours out all of David's alcohol, asking him what he would say to those who died. David says it is pointless without Saya, and Kai yells at him it is his job to wait for her. Meanwhile, in the US, James and Van give a demonstration of their new soldiers, the Corpse Corps. Three of the soldiers kill a single chiropteran, and Dr. Collins tells Julia they don't need Saya anymore. The US agrees to use them. As the Corpse Corps are transported, several Schiff watch from the shadows. That night, Kai and Lewis are out hunting chiroptera, but the new bullets do not work. As they find themselves surrounded by three chiroptera, Saya and Hagi appear.
34	"World Where We Exist" "Oretachi no Iru Sekai" (俺たちのいる世界)	June 3, 2006	November 25, 2007
Saya saves Kai and Lewis from the chiroptera, but collapses afterwards. They take her back to Gray's house to recover. David learns Saya is at the farm, but doesn't react. When Monique touches the sleeping Saya, Saya pops her awake and almost attacks her. She barely acknowledges Kai's presence and calls Hagi to leave. Gray won't let her leave while she's still weak, though, and manages to get her to stay for breakfast. Kai tells her about David, but she cuts him off telling him it isn't relevant to her and that he should go back to Okinawa. Hagi finds David throwing up behind a building and asks if he's given up fighting. While they talk, a chiropteran attacks the farm, having followed Saya's scent. It gets upstairs and goes after Monique. Kai shoots it but is knocked aside. David also shoots at it, but is attacked. Saya, unable to find her sword, attacks it with a kitchen knife coated in her blood and kills it, then leaves with Hagi. As they walk through London, they spot an advertisement for a performance by Diva, who has changed her appearance to look similar to Riku. David and Kai also see the ad on TV.
35	"Tomorrow Without Hope" "Kibō no Nai Ashita" (希望のない明日)	June 10, 2006	December 2, 2007
James uses the Corpse Corps to attack the Schiff. During the battle, it is revealed that they are "improved" clones of Moses. The Schiff, already suffering from Thorn, are being badly beaten. Lulu manages to escape and runs to where Saya and Hagi are resting in a church. Lulu begs her to help them before collapsing from her own wounds. Saya agrees to go, but when they arrive at the warehouse, Dahz is dead, and Gudrif dies shortly afterwards. Only Moses, Karman, and Lulu are left. James reports back to Amshel that he wasn't able to kill all of the Schiff, but Amshel says it is no problem. Amshel puts James in charge of killing Saya despite Carl's objections. That night, the last three Schiff bury their comrades. Lulu asks Saya if she will fight with them to defeat Diva, but Saya says she fights alone, and will not grieve the loss of anymore comrades. Lulu tells her she has lost her hope. She also tells her where Diva will be. As Lulu leaves, she asks Saya to please remember her, because she doesn't want to be forgotten. The three Schiff go to the museum and again fight the Corpse Corp. They are losing when Saya and Hagi arrives. When Saya destroys one of the Corpse Corp, the other two retreat. Moses, Karman, and Lulu pledge to go with Saya, not as help, but because it is the only way they can survive. Meanwhile, David goes to see Joel, sober and no longer drinking. Joel tells him he wants to revive the Red Shield. He later meets with Okamura and Mao and asks them to find out who is sponsoring Diva's upcoming concert.
36	"Mismatched Feelings" "Surechigau Omoi" (すれちがう想い)	June 17, 2006	December 9, 2007
James and Diva leave to go to a luncheon, but Diva gets him to take her to Royal Covent Garden so she can sing. David meets with Mao and Okamura who tell him that Diva's opera is being jointly sponsored by Cinq Fleches and Goldsmith Holdings, that the two companies have partnered to produce food for the military forces across the countries, and that they have a research facility on the outskirts of London being run by Van. David uses a stolen ID to infiltrate the lab where he discovers Julia and learns a little more about the research being done. He's almost captured by Van who remembered David from Vietnam, but David instead uses Van as a hostage to escape. At the opera house, Saya, Hagi, and Kai battle with James while Nathan watches. Saya's sword is unable to penetrate James' iron-like skin, leaving James an opportunity to kill Saya. However, Nathan stops him and makes him leave, promising Saya he would find her a "suitable" stage to die on. Weakened from the battle, Saya feeds on Hagi. Kai turns away, then looks back to find both have left.
37	"To the Sheer Level of Madness" "Kuruoshii Made ni" (狂おしいまでに)	June 24, 2006	December 16, 2007
Gray and the others prepare for Javier's birthday party. While shopping with Monique, Kai spots Saya and Monique asks her to come to the party, which Saya agrees to do. Karl steals the Corpse Corps without Amshel's permission to go after Saya and Amshel sends Solomon after him. While Kai and Saya are talking, Karl arrives to battle her. Hagi, the Schiff, and the others deal with the Corpse Corps while Saya battles Karl. Karl grabs Saya from behind and bites into her, planning to drink all of her blood to kill both her and himself. Solomon arrives and cuts off Karl's arm, giving Saya the chance to stab him through her own body killing him. He orders the Corpse Corps back to their beds, and before disappearing, tells Saya that Diva is on her way to Christina Island.
38	"The Showdown Island" "Kessen no Shima" (決戦の島)	July 1, 2006	December 23, 2007
Unable to get a boat on her own, Saya reluctantly agrees to go to Christina Island on the boat the Red Shield and the Schiff accompanied. When they arrive, the three Schiff go off on their own, despite Kai's warning to stick together, and engage numerous Corpse Corps. David, Lewis, Kai, Saya, and Hagi continue towards where they believe Diva, but first must face off against James. While Saya continues to battle James, Kai takes Hagi to save the Schiff. With the help of the Schiff, Saya is able to strike James with her sword. As he falls into a huge tunnel, he manages to pull Saya and Kai in, but Solomon appears and saves them both. He tells them that it was a trap set by Amshel to see if Solomon would tell Saya and that Diva is on her way to New York. Before leaving, he tells Saya he is in love with her and will always be on her side.

For the final season of Blood+, "Raion" (雷音) by Jinn is used for the opening theme, and "Brand New Map" by K is used for the ending theme. For the final episode, however, the first season ending theme, "The Things I Pass Down" (語り継ぐこと, Kataritsugu Koto) is used for the closing sequence.

#	Title	Original air date[6]	US air date[12]
39	"The Magic Words, Once More" "Mahō no Kotoba o Mōichido" (魔法の言葉をもう一度)	July 8, 2006	January 6, 2008
Lewis and Okamura confirm Solomon's story that Amshel is a chevalier. Saya agrees to go fishing with Gray, Kai, and the children. David and Joel drop in on a party being held by Amshel and Van Argiano to celebrate the American branch. While there, David talks with Julia, but is interrupted by Dr. Collins. Joel also talks with his "Uncle" Amshel, discussing the new business. Mao and Monique talk about their respective feelings for Kai, and his lack of feelings for them. To Van's shock, Amshel makes him the CEO of the Cinq Fléches' American operations due to Solomon's continuing absence. Saya is sleeping longer and becoming harder to wake up. The next day, the group says their good-byes to Gray, Monique and the children and heads to New York.
40	"Dreams That Chevaliers Dream" "Shuvarie no Miru Yume" (シュヴァリエの見る夢)	July 15, 2006	January 13, 2008
In New York, Saya rests in a hotel room and receives more blood transfusions while Hagi takes care of her. With her condition worsening, Saya grows more contemplative. She apologizes to Hagi for making him a chevalier, but Hagi assures her he has never regretted it. Solomon goes to where Diva and the others are, wearing a black suit instead of the white suits he used to prefer. Solomon asks Diva if she remembers the day they met. He tells her that he can not see Saya as his enemy and proclaims his love for her. Diva tells him to do what he likes and strips him of his role as her chevalier. Amshel refuses to let him leave alive, but Nathan stops their fighting and Solomon says he will live with Saya as Solomon Goldsmith.
41	"The Place Where I Belong" "Watashi no Ibasho" (私の居場所)	July 22, 2006	January 20, 2008
A month after the last episode, the apartment Okamura and Mao in Los Angeles were using is blown up, so they join David and the others at their cheap apartment in Little Italy, New York. Saya is continuing to grow weaker and requiring more sleep. Mao makes her promise to return to Okinawa and go shopping with her after everything is over. Kai and Lewis meet with one of Lewis' old CIA contact, and learns that Goldsmith has deep connections to the US military and the Secretary of Defense. While meeting with a retired general, Joel learns Diva will be performing at an Air Force base in North Carolina. Mao overhears Hagi and Saya talking about Saya's time to go into her 30 year hibernation approaching. Though she's furious, Mao agrees to keep her secret and makes a promise with her that no matter what, Saya will return to Okinawa. Meanwhile, Van puts Dr. Collins in charge in the research division at Cinq Flèches, while Amshel has Julia replace Dr. Collins as Diva's primary care physician. Julia learns that Diva is pregnant and that Amshel is one of Diva's chevaliers.
42	"Soprano of Miracles" "Hibiku, Utagoe" (響く、歌声)	July 29, 2006	January 27, 2008
Saya and her group have infiltrated the air force base. Following Julia, David learns Diva appears to be eight weeks pregnant and that the babies will be born soon. Once Julia and Collins are alone, he attempts to kill her, but David intervenes and is shot. At the same time, David manages to stab Collins in the arm with a scalpel, after which Collins runs away. Meanwhile, Amshel captures Kai and takes him to Diva, who wants to make him a chevalier. Saya is able to get Kai away, but when she goes after Diva, Amshel captures her, and Hagi is caught by Nathan. While they fight, several people attending the concert suddenly change into chiroptera and begin killing the other guests, only to be killed themselves by the Corpse Corps. Solomon appears and saves Saya from Amshel before flying off with her, after which Hagi frees himself from Nathan's grasp and leaves to rescue Saya.
43	"Confused Heart" "Kokoro Midarete" (こころ乱れて)	August 5, 2006	February 3, 2008
Saya wakes up in Solomon's New York penthouse apartment, while Hagi searches for her. Solomon explains that he has left everything behind for Saya, including Diva. He pledges his eternal loves and asks Saya to be his bride. He pledges to protect her and fulfill her every wish. As they talk, Solomon realizes Saya's time of sleep is coming, and swears he would kill Diva if Saya ordered him to. Hagi appears to retrieve Saya, saying she is his reason for being. Solomon won't let her go, and they begin a battle. As they fight, Saya gets dizzy and falls from the building. To save her, Hagi unleashes his true form for the first time in the series. When they land, Saya gently rejects his feelings, and tells him killing Diva is her job. She and Hagi fly off, returning to the apartment. Meanwhile, Julia goes with David to the hospital. As he is rushed to the emergency room, he asks her to come back to them. Julia keeps vigil over him as he lies unconscious in the hospital, and kisses him. Back at the apartment, Mao kisses Kai and confesses her love, but also accepts that his only thoughts are for Saya.
44	"Into the Light" "Hikari no Naka ni" (光の中に)	August 12, 2006	February 10, 2008
Julia, Kai, Lewis, and Saya discuss Diva's pregnancy and David's slow recovery. Lulu comes to visit Saya again. Julia tells them what she learned about the Schiff experiment and the Corpse Corp and that they could suppress the Thorn in the Schiff with Diva's blood. Kai takes Moses a shipment of blood, as part of their agreement that the Schiff won't attack humans if the Red Shield supplies them with blood. When Lulu returns home, Karman forbids her from seeing Saya and the others because they are too different from the humans. Moses enter and Karman yells at him too. As they argue, Moses and Lulu discover that Karman has been inflicted with the Thorn. Karman runs out, unknowingly passing James. As the sun rises, Lulu asks Kai and Saya to help her find Karman. Karman goes to a hospital and attacks a nurse, but then sees a vision of Irene and the other Schiff who've died. Realizing they are still alive in his heart, he leaves the woman alone. That night, James goes to see Moses, revealing that much of his body is now that of the Schiff and that he was rescued before Saya's blood could completely destroy him. He offers to help the Schiff try to cure the Thorn, just as Kai had. Moses finds Karman on the roof with his hood down so he can die in the rising sun, but Moses stops him and promises to save him.
45	"Turn the Palm of Your Hand Toward the Sun" "Te no Hira o Taiyō ni" (手のひらを太陽に)	August 19, 2006	February 17, 2008
Unable to find Karman, Kai and the others return to the apartment. Moses arrives and after apologizing to Kai, tells him he must die. Saya blocks his scythe swing, but Moses manages to knock Kai out of the window. Hagi catches him before he hits the ground. Kai runs, trying to stay in the light so Moses can't attack him. When Moses corners him in an alley, Kai tries to convince Moses to stop and find out why he's doing this, but Moses won't answer. Backed against a fence, the sunlight stops Moses and Kai escapes. He runs to Central Park, but Moses finds him again and begins chasing him around the forest. Meanwhile, James goes to the Schiff's hideout and tells Karman that Moses is going to kill Kai to save him, even though it won't really work. James tells Karman it is for his revenge, because the existence of the Schiff has separated him from the one he loves the most. After seeing his new half-Schiff body, Diva declared that James wasn't her James anymore and hates him. In the park, Kai manages to shoot off Moses hood, but then runs over to cover him back off so the light wouldn't kill him. Spurning Kai's sympathy, Moses strikes at Kai with a spike he grows on his hand, but Karman appears and takes the blow meant for Kai instead. Karman calms Moses down and before they left, asked Kai to give Lulu their weapons. They go to a bridge where Karman tells Moses they won't be forgotten since Kai will remember them and pass on those memories. Together they stand and face the setting sun, their hoods removed. As they are enveloped in green flames, they agree that they are glad they met. In the apartment, Lulu cries over their weapons.
46	"May Tomorrow Be a Clear Day" "Ashita Tenki ni Naare" (あした天気になあれ)	August 26, 2006	February 24, 2008
Mao, watching Saya and Hagi talk and hold hands, asks Kai if Saya is her competition for his love. She sends him out shopping, then asks Saya to catch him because she has some embarrassing things on her list, then keeps Hagi from following by saying she needs his help around the house. At the subway station, Saya starts to faint, almost falling in front of the train but Kai catches her. Later, Saya promises Kai that she will always protect him and asks him to take better care of himself. Kai has a key of their father's bar made for Saya, so they can run it together. David leaves the hospital and returns to work. Saya and Hagi remember her making him promise to kill her, with his own hands, when everything is over. As he, Lewis, Julia, Joel, and Okamura discuss the situation, they realize the American government has Cinq Flèches deliberately creating chiroptera in America, and abroad, to create enemies they can then rescue the people from using the Corpse Corp. Julia explains to them that Diva's singing, when heard in person or a live process, it increases the effectiveness of the D-base that causes people to turn to chiroptera from 3% to 100%. Meanwhile, Nathan visits Solomon and takes him to see Diva and the babies, which Amshel "cut out of her stomach." Nathan tells him that now that the babies are born, he has no reason to fight his family anymore. To prove his commitment to Saya, Solomon attempts to kill Diva, but Diva easily defeats him and leaves him badly wounded. As Diva takes the babies inside, Nathan wonders if even a chevalier can survive such wounds.
47	"Beyond All Blood" "Subete no Chi o Koete" (全ての血を超えて)	September 2, 2006	March 2, 2008
In order to keep Diva's public performance from being broadcast, David, Lewis, Kai, and Okamura go to Staten Island to blow up the satellite dishes. Though she is growing weaker and more tired, Saya is determined to fight so she doesn't wake up in a world full of chiroptera. Hagi asks Saya to reconsider their promise, but she makes him ask her to fight again. Amshel orders Nathan to kill Solomon, but Nathan releases him from the dungeon instead. James, in his full chiropteran form, goes to the apartment and attacks Saya. When Saya attacks him, though, her sword bounces off his skin. Hagi and Lulu try to help her in the fight, but the three are losing badly. As James moves to kill Saya with her own sword, Solomon arrives and, in his human form, blocks James' attack. Solomon then swears that he is Saya's chevalier by his own choice and states that it is "beyond blood". He is able to make James drop Saya's sword, but as it falls, it slices Solomon near his chest. James is suddenly inflicted with the Thorn, and Saya is able to strike the killing blow to his head. Solomon tells her to call his name if she ever needs him, then leaves. Though Hagi sees the cut from the sword, Saya does not appear to. Amshel finds Solomon in an alley trying to hold on, but he crystallizes in Amshel's arms from Saya's blood on her sword. Nathan and Amshel are now Diva's only surviving chevaliers.
48	"Skyscraper Opera" "Matenrō Opera" (摩天楼オペラ)	September 9, 2006	March 9, 2008
Saya, Hagi, and the Red Shield goes to the Metropolitan Opera House to try to stop Diva's performance. Before the show starts, Nathan tells Amshel that the world exists to showcase Diva's beauty, as was predestined before she was born. When Amshel says Nathan talks like he was there, Nathan says he was and that before Diva was born, there was their "mommy" and her faithful chevalier. Kai confronts Hagi and demands to know what else they are hiding besides the coming hibernation time and begs him to take care of her. While they talk, Saya slips the key Kai gave her into his coat pocket and whispers goodbye. Saya and Hagi go to try to kill Diva before she can take the stage, but before she can charge Diva, Saya grows woozy again and can't attack. Hagi attacks Diva, but she easily dodges him. Hagi and Saya fight against Amshel. After he knocks Hagi out, Amshel tells Saya that if she had never set Diva free, Diva could have been his and his alone. He admits he has a constant obsession with Diva, which he views as the ultimate form of love for her. Diva begins singing, and people in the audience begin changing into chiroptera. Lewis is able to blow up the relay stations, but it doesn't work because they relay the signal through the military satellite feeds. Kai, David, Lewis, and Lulu go to the relay vans and destroy all of the equipment to finally bring down the world-wide broadcast. They get surrounded by chiroptera and David is injured. Hagi attacks Amshel so Saya can go after Diva as Nathan watches from the audience with the babies beside him.
49	"Two Queens" "Futari no Joō" (二人の女王)	September 16, 2006	March 16, 2008
Grant, the Secretary of Defense, escapes, and leaves Van behind to face the chiropterans alone. Saya tries to explain to Diva why she wants to kill her to protect the humans, but Diva reminds her that she was the only one who was ever treated as a human being. Diva returns to her regular form while she and Saya argue over the existence of chiropterans. Backstage, Amshel tries to upset Hagi by reminding him that his parents sold him to Amshel for a loaf of bread, but Hagi tells him he is grateful because it enabled him to meet Saya. Amshel and Hagi assume their true forms and begin fighting, going through the roof outside where Hagi is badly losing. Meanwhile, Lewis runs out of the transmitter trailer as a decoy to draw the chiropterans away with Lulu's help while Kai gets David to safety. Hagi gets the upper hand on Amshel and impales him on the top of a skyscraper, but loses a wing in the battle. As Amshel tries to pull himself off, lightning strikes the rod, appearing to kill him by electrocution. Diva asks Saya is she is going to kill her babies as well, since she believes chiropterans shouldn't exist. Both load their swords with blood and begin their battle. Nathan, holding the babies, and Hagi watch from the audience, having agreed that in the end it is the queens' fight. Saya and Diva each impale the other with their blood-soaked swords, but Saya heals while Diva begins crystallizing. Saya cries and tries to help her, but Diva begins shattering. Nathan brings the babies to Diva, and she tells them good-bye and imagines herself holding them before she dies. Nathan says all she wanted was a family, something Amshel never understood, and explains that when she became pregnant, Diva's blood lost its potency. Nathan asks Saya to kill him, as he no longer has a purpose with Diva dead, and Saya does. Hagi comes up behind her and wraps his arms around her as she cries. Kai comes in and Saya tells him that she must die after she kills the babies.
50	"Nan-kuru-nai-sah" "Nankurunaisa" (ナンクルナイサ)	September 23, 2006	March 23, 2008
With the song stopped and Diva dead, the chiropterans begin howling and the Corpse Corps stops fighting. Inside the opera house, Saya explains to Kai that she fears that if she and the babies live, they would be used as weapons of war. Kai promises to make anyone who won't accept them understand and to always protect and love them all. Hagi tells Saya that he has loved her from the moment they met and that for once, he is going to disobey her. Taking her sword, he begs her to live on and kisses her forehead. Saya cries and says she wants to live before kissing him. David bursts in and tells him to hurry and leave because Option D has been activated. Kai and Saya carry the babies as the group leaves, but Amshel, who survived his fight with Hagi, attacks the group, ripping off Hagi's arm with his breath attack. Saya swears to protect the babies, but when she tries to attack Amshel, Hagi grabs the sword from her and pushes her away before stabbing Amshel himself. As Amshel begins crystallizing, he stabs Hagi through the chest with his hand and the roof collapses on them both. Saya screams his name and the military planes begin bombing the opera house. A month later, Saya and the others are back in Okinawa. The number of chiropteran attacks continues to decrease and Julia, who is now pregnant with David's baby, has found a way to prolong Lulu's life. Nathan, who survived Saya's attempt to kill him, is seen at a press conference in America about the criminal investigations surrounding Van and Cinque Fleches' close involvement with the U.S. military. Saya and Kai are hosting a party at the reopened restaurant, inviting their friends from the Red Shield and their schoolmates. Okamura and Mao plan to go to the Middle East together. During the party, Saya slips outside and looks back at the restaurant with tears in her eyes before she collapses. Kai catches her and agrees to wait to tell the others. He carries her back to the Miyagusuku family crypt where she woke up. She whispers thank you as she drifts off to sleep. As he carries her up the steps toward the crypt, he promises to make them all happy and care for the babies until she wakes up. After the final credits, Kai is shown with Diva's children going to visit Saya, still asleep in the crypt. When they arrive, he sees a pink rose with a blue ribbon left behind by Hagi, and tells the children to leave it alone.

Metz's Movie Pick: G-Force

Who wouldn't be taken in by cute furry animals that just makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Nothing does that as well as the cute little hamsters and guinea pigs. But what if we add the magic of Walt Disney and a group of funtastic special effects into the mix and what you have is a total cuteness powerhouse that kicks butt at the same time :)

Here is what G-Force is all about:
The story is about a team of trained secret agent guinea pigs that takes on a mission for the US government. A specially trained squad of guinea pigs is dispatched to stop a diabolical billionaire, who plans to taking over the world with household appliances

And here is the official trailer to this Action packed Furry Fury :)

Try and catch it in a 3D theater near you :)

Metz Secret: 2 of the cutest awards for August

Aren't these awards so cute hehehe :) Love em a lot La Shan and Liza - XOXO :)

Traditionally I would pass these awards on to someone else but for a change I have something even better in Mind :)

I am giving these two special peeps that made me smile this week with their fantastic awards and all of my friends a cool award of linky love for this month of August :)

The Linky Love goes to these Fantastic people and their Amazing Blogs:
Liza of A Simple Life
LaShan of a Lil Enchanted
Marzie and the wonder cats
Emila Yusof
Monica of Turn U Off
Mize of Night Clicks
East Coast Life
Xephan and Reema
Khyre
Uprinting

And to spice things up a bit more here is a music video dedicated just for you guys :)

Lots of love peeps :) xoxo

Metz Secret: Corazon "Cory" Aquino Funeral March - Makati District

Today I was fortunate enough to get the chance to witness a spectacle of great magnitude today here in the Philippines. Former Philippine President Corazon Aquino who passed away last Saturday due to Colon Cancer had her Funeral March scheduled today. I was only able to watch it on the Television early in the morning, but when I found out that they would be passing through South Super Highway, a couple of blocks away from my place. I immediately went to the area and did some scouting for the best possible place to get a good angle to take the video of her as she passed through.

One would think that it would be a sad event but surprisingly many were smiling and celebrating, not of her death but of the memories of the legacy she had left behind. This shows that she is not truly gone but is immortalized within the hearts of every Filipino

I also took along with me my camera and samsung J700 to capture each and every moment that unfolds as we awaited her entourage.

Here are all of the random shots that I took as I walked and explored the area of South Super Highway to get a good place to see Corazon Cory Aquino one last time before she is finally laid to rest at the Manila Memorial park.

Metz Secret: The Last AIrbender The Movie

For all of you that have been watching the cartoon series from Nickelodeon The Last Airbender, Aang has a new treat as a movie version has just been scheduled for release this 2010. And with the Director M. Night Shyamalan leading the way it is sure to amazing.

To show you what I mean, here is the official video trailer for you to enjoy:

Here are the actors and actresses casted for this movie:

The Last Airbender is a cult animated series, that's for sure. So no wonder that fans some fans are bickering over the cast. But there's nothing there to fuel a controversy. I even think that the cast chosen by Director M. Night Shyamalan looks quite good actually:

	Aang the last Airbender, aka the Avatar (Noah Ringer)
	Katara (Nicola Peltz)
	Sokka (Jackson Rathbone)
	Zuko (Dev patel)

The rest is found in this video presentation of the cast and crew :)

For those that want to visit the main website check out here at this link: The Last Airbender The Movie

And for those that want to spice up their Computer's Wallpaper with The Last Airbender's Wallpaper 1024 x 768 pixels - simply click to enlarge.
Enjoy :) xoxo

Metz Secret: Kiba Episodes English Dubbed

I was watching cartoon network the other night and saw this rather cool japanese anime about a character named zed. So I did a little research and found a way to watch the episodes via youtube for others to enjoy.

Here is the video for you to watch, each episode is divided into parts for easy buffering and watching. Simply select the next part of the episode or episode that you wish to watch at the end of each video as it is all linked up:

There is a total of 51 episodes to be precise and over 149 videos uploaded here in youtube for you to watch and enjoy.

Now as for the anime itself here is what Kiba is all about:
Episode: 51/51 (Finished)
Genre: Action, Fantasy

Plot:

Kiba's main character is Zed, a 15-year-old boy who lives in a place called "Calm". Frustrated by his current situation in life he feels that somewhere out there is a place where he can live more fully. One day, at the invitation of a mysterious wind, Zed dives into a space-time crevasse (portal), seeking the answers that might be there. Riding on the wind, he is transported to a war-torn world where magic users called "Shard Casters" fight endlessly with each other, using spells in the form of marble-like "Shards".

With the power of the Shards, the Shard Casters are able to use spells and control monsters called "Spirits". Fascinated by that power, Zed aims to become a Shard Caster. However, he still doesn't know that residing in his body is "Amil Gaoul", a mighty Spirit with the power to influence the world's future. Amil Gaoul is one of the "Key Spirits" that, when together with the other Key Spirits, can destroy or save the world. There are a total of six Key Spirits: Amil Gaoul, Pronimo, Sachira, Monardi, Jumamis and Shadin.

Zed undergoes countless trials in order to find out who he really is and what is most important to him.

Enjoy the video :) Till the next anime that catches my eye :)

Metz Secret: Legend of the Seeker

I just watched this wickedly cool trailer of a new series that will be airing in sci fi channel and it just got me anticipating. The scenery and special effects are just jaw dropping and with a cast that is just as eye catching to match who wouldn't want to watch it :) so for those that are curious as to what am blabbing about I have found a way to plug the trailer in for you to enjoy. Hopefully you have the sci fi channel with your cable provider :)

Main characters
* Richard Cypher (Craig Horner) starts out in the series as a young woodsman living in Hartland, a town in Westland and a place where no magic exists. Richard is the adopted son of George Cypher and brother of Michael Cypher, but he does not know who his real parents are or that Zedd is his grandfather. He discovers that he is a Seeker - "a hero who arises in the times of trouble and suffering and seeks out evil".. Although Richard is reluctant to be the Seeker, he is earnest in fulfilling his role as he is the person prophesied to defeat Darken Rahl. Craig Horner explains Richard's character as someone who is "what you see is what you get" and is "so truthful", adding that "the only thing he's been taught to reserve his whole life is his anger, and he can release that once he starts to get hold of this Sword of Truth."

* Kahlan Amnell (Bridget Regan) is a Confessor and in contrast to the novels which the show is based on, she is not the last living Confessor. As a Confessor, she has the power to magnify the love a person has within them for her, allowing her to control the person. This power allows her to serve the people of the Midlands, who respect and fear her. Both her parents are deceased and her sister appeared to have been killed at the beginning of the first episode in the series. Later we learn she has indeed survived and will give birth to a male confessor. In Kahlan's quest to defeat Rahl, her role is to protect the Seeker with her life. Executive producer Robert Tapert describes Kahlan as "a female action hero for 2009... she's perhaps more feminine at the same time as being as ruthless as Xena was."

* Zeddicus "Zedd" Zu'l Zorander (Bruce Spence) is a wizard who the people of Hartland believe to be a crazy old man, and is Richard's grandfather. Heeding the prophecy concerning Richard, Zedd brought him into Westland after his birth to protect him from Darken Rahl and gave him to George Cypher to raise. After Richard accepts the name of the Seeker, Zedd becomes his mentor and is sworn to protect him with his life. He rarely panics and always looks ahead to what has to be done.

Recurring characters

* Darken Rahl (Craig Parker) is the emperor of D'Hara and the Seeker's enemy. He is an evil tyrant who wants to capture the Midlands and Westland into his empire by enslaving the people living there. While he has at his disposal wizards and legions of soldiers to help him achieve his goal, he seeks the three Boxes of Orden, which will give him ultimate power.

* Dell "Chase" Brandstone (Jay Laga'aia) is the head of the Councilor's Guards in Hartland. He is also a family man and Richard's closest friend. Aided by his large frame and strength, Chase is a skilled fighter. He is loyal to his friends and does not hesitate to help them.

* Michael Cypher (David de Lautour) is Richard's older brother and the First Councilor of Hartland.

* Jennsen (Brooke Williams) is Richard's younger sister. She is referred to as "pristinely ungifted," meaning that she cannot use magic nor can magic affect her directly. Although Jennsen is introduced in the first season, she does not appear in The Sword of Truth series until the seventh novel, The Pillars of Creation.

* Denna (Jessica Marais) is a ruthless Mord'Sith sent by Darken Rahl to torture Richard into swearing his allegiance to Darken Rahl. When her efforts are in vain, she's given a second chance but when that fails, Richard allows her to flee to escape Darken Rahl's wrath.

* Shota (Danielle Cormack) is a powerful witch who controls a part of the Midlands. While Zedd, whom she is loathfully aquainted with, warns she is "no friend of The Seeker," she antagonizes Darken Rahl for he threatens her current state of power.

List of Episodes Season 1:

Episode #	Title	Director(s)	Writer(s)	Original airdate	Production code
1	"Prophecy"	Mark Beesley	John Shiban, Ken Biller & Stephen Tolkin	1 November 2008	101
Darken Rahl, a tyrant who wants to expand his empire into the Midlands, sends soldiers to obtain the Book of Counted Shadows, which is in the possession of a Confessor named Kahlan Amnell. Kahlan crosses the magical boundary into Westland, a land of no magic, in search of a wizard. In Westland, Kahlan meets Richard Cypher, a woodsman who helps her escape the soldiers. Kahlan finds the wizard, Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander, and insists that he take her to the Seeker. Richard, who was sent by his father to Zedd, meets them and discovers that he is the Seeker, the person prophesied to defeat Rahl. One of the soldiers, Fane, kills Richard's father and takes the Book of Counted Shadows from Richard.
2	"Destiny"	Mark Beesley	Ken Biller & Barry Schkolnick	1 November 2008	102
After accepting the role of the Seeker, Richard formulates a plan with Zedd, Kahlan and his friend Chase to find Fane. Darken Rahl attempts to bring down the magical boundary that separates the Midlands and Westland, which will allow Fane to return with the Book of Counted Shadows. Fane kidnaps Chase's daughter and forces a sorceress to give him the Night Stone to cross the boundary. Richard and Kahlan pursue Fane to the boundary, where Richard kills him and retrieves the Book. Meanwhile, Rahl's soldiers destroy the boundary. Richard throws the Book into a fire to stop the soldiers from taking it. Together with Kahlan, he defeats them. Having recovered from his injury, Zedd joins Richard and Kahlan as they set off into the Midlands.
3	"Bounty"	Jesse Warn	Chad Fiveash & James Stoteraux	8 November 2008	104
Richard, Kahlan and Zedd are attacked by a band of mercenaries, one of whom, they find, was carrying a map that tracks Richard's location. Soon after they discover that Darken Rahl is offering a reward for capture of the Seeker, a woman named Lily asks for their help to save her brother from the Shadrin, a mythical monster. When the group finds yet another map tracking Richard, Zedd sets off to find the mapmaker Sebastian (Ted Raimi). Richard and Kahlan follow Lily to find her brother but it turns out to be a trap. Lily wants to exchange Richard for her brother, who is to be executed by the Rahl's soldiers. Meanwhile, Zedd warns the mapmaker not to make any more maps to track the Seeker. He returns in time to save Richard and Kahlan from capture. Richard helps Lily's brother escape. In return, Lily helps to spread word that the Seeker is here to help them.
4	"Brennidon"	Jonathan Brough	Erin Maher & Kay Reindl	15 November 2008	105
While Kahlan performs her Confessor's duties, Richard returns to his birthplace Brennidon but is unnerved to find it under siege with D'Haran soldiers. A woman named Brigid claims to be Richard's birth mother and that her son Mark is his brother. After witnessing a woman almost getting killed for defying Darken Rahl, Richard is determined to save his village despite the D'Harans' intention to capture him. Meanwhile, Zedd convinces a woman that he is not the father of her son and reveals to Kahlan that Richard is his grandson. When both find out where Richard is, they rush off to Brennidon. They arrive in time to help Richard and the villagers fend off and kill the D'Harans. Brigid reveals to Richard that although she thinks of him as a son, she is not his mother and that his real mother is out there looking for him.
5	"Listener"	Mark Beesley	Stephen Tolkin	22 November 2008	106
Upon witnessing Darken Rahl's soldiers capturing a Listener, who has the ability to read others' thoughts by looking into their eyes, Richard, Kahlan and Zedd devise a plan to rescue him. After the rescue, Zedd uses the soldiers to find Rahl as Richard and Kahlan set about returning the Listener, a boy named Renn, to his step-father. Renn grows to trust Richard and Kahlan after they risk their lives to protect him. Using his abilities, Renn discovers Richard and Kahlan's secrets including their feelings for each other and reassures each of them that the feelings are mutual. Not wanting them to be harmed, Renn leaves with his step-father and is sold off again to Rahl's soldiers, who have captured Zedd for helping a D'Haran traitor escape. Richard and Kahlan find Zedd and Renn, and help them fend off the soldiers. They journey to Thandor, where Renn is then left in the care of the Sisters of Light.
6	"Elixir"	Charlie Haskell	Mike Sussman	29 November 2008	103
A boy named Jack steals Zedd, Richard and Kahlan's horses and sells them to Rymus, a magic peddler, in the village of Drendril. While tracking Jack in the village, Richard is aided by a bartender's magic potion that allows him to see Jack's precise location. Jack takes them to the peddlers, who start a fight, forcing Kahlan to use her Confessor's power on Rymus and Zedd to expose himself as a wizard. They discover that Drendril is being corrupted by a wizard's magic potions. The wizard captures Zedd and is revealed to be Jeziah, a past student of Zedd. Richard learns not to rely on magic and uses his woods guide skills to find Zedd. Richard, Kahlan and Rymus defeat Jeziah and the peddlers in a fight, but Rymus dies protecting Kahlan. Noticing Richard's feelings for Kahlan, Zedd reminds Kahlan that she has yet to tell Richard of her Confessor's power and how that will affect their relationship.
7	"Identity"	Garth Maxwell	Chad Fiveash & James Stoteraux	6 December 2008	107
Richard ignores the warning of Shota, a sorceress who has had a vision of his death, and proceeds with his plan to capture Demmin Nass, Rahl's right-hand man, in Kalabra. Hence, Shota uses magic to temporarily exchange Richard's identity with that of a merchant's son, Gryff. Kahlan and Zedd leaves for Kalabra with Gryff, who they think is Richard. On the way, Kahlan reveals her feelings for Richard to Gryff and how they can never be together because of her Confessor's power. Meanwhile, Richard is forced to marry Gryff's betrothed, Bronwyn. When Bronwyn is eventually convinced by Richard that he is not Gryff but the Seeker, she leads him to Kalabra, where he reunites with Kahlan and Zedd, and saves Gryff's life. They learn from a document Kahlan took from Nass' tent that Rahl is looking for the boxes of Orden. Shota reveals to them a prophecy that foretells Kahlan betraying Richard.
8	"Denna"	Michael Hurst	Ken Biller & Mike Sussman	10 January 2009	108
Fearing that her feelings for Richard may compromise his mission to stop Rahl, Kahlan leaves Richard and Zedd to find another Confessor who can help them. Shortly after, Richard is captured by a Mord'Sith named Denna (Jessica Marais) who can manipulate any form of magic directed at her; Zedd is powerless to help. Denna reveals to Richard of Rahl's plan to torture him into submission. As she tortures him, Kahlan locates Lara, a Confessor who has abused her power to gain control over an entire settlement. Upon learning from Zedd that Richard has been captured, Kahlan goes to save Richard. Lara is killed by Rahl's soldiers and the people she confessed are freed from her control. Richard and Kahlan escape from captivity after killing Denna, who is brought back to life by another Mord'Sith. When Richard tells Kahlan that he knows of her secret, she reaffirms that they must focus on their mission and cast aside their feelings for each other.
9	"Puppeteer"	Mark Beesley	Nicki Paluga	17 January 2009	109
As Darken Rahl plans to obtain the third and final Box of Orden from Queen Milena of Tamarang, Zedd poses as a puppeteer at her daughter Princess Violet's birthday party while Richard and Kahlan attempt to delay Rahl's emissary from reaching Tamarang. Zedd befriends Rachel, a ten-year-old girl enslaved as Princess Violet's playmate. With her help, Zedd steals the third Box of Orden and replaces it with a look-alike. Meanwhile, Richard and Kahlan intercept a small party of Rahl's soldiers and discover that Rahl is travelling to Tamarang himself to retrieve the box. Rachel helps Zedd smuggle the box out of Tamarang with the assistance of a cook named Martha, and takes it to Richard and Kahlan. Rahl realizes that the box is a fake but fails to capture Zedd; he kills Queen Milena as a result. After Zedd rejoins Richard and Kahlan, Rachel is taken in by Martha.
10	"Sacrifice"	Michael Hurst	Chad Fiveash & James Stoteraux	24 January 2009	111
Richard, Kahlan and Zedd encounter a group of Confessors and their leader, Mother Confessor Serena, who are on their way to an island called Valeria to hide from Rahl. After discovering that her sister Dennee is alive and is being held at a D'Haran prison, Kahlan rescues her by disguising as a Mord'Sith and Richard as her prisoner. The Confessors' happiness at finding Dennee pregnant is short-lived when she gives birth to a boy. As part of their tradition, all male Confessors are killed at birth because they are unable to control their power. Serena confesses Zedd and retrieves Dennee's son from Richard, who does not want the boy to be killed. Deciding to help Dennee save her child, the remaining Confessors confess Rahl's pursuing soldiers with Richard and Kahlan's help and use them to distract Zedd while they confront Serena. Dennee's mate kills Serena, releasing Zedd from her control, and leaves for Valeria with Dennee and their son. The remaining Confessors name Kahlan as their new Mother Confessor.
11	"Confession"	Garth Maxwell	Barry Schkolnick	31 January 2009	110
When two resistance fighters against Darken Rahl die under suspicious circumstances, their leader, Connor, requests Kahlan's help. Zedd set off on a separate mission to retrieve the key to a crypt where they will hide the third Box of Orden from Rahl. Richard and Kahlan arrive at Connor's home to find him dead. Kahlan uses her Confessor's power on a thief named Niles, who tells them that he killed Connor. They discover too late that Niles, who was hung for the murder, was not responsible. When Kahlan finds Nile's sister dead and Richard convinced that he is the murderer, they believe that magic is being used by the real killer to give others the memories of killing the victims. The town's constable, Declan, brings forth evidence that Connor's wife, Nella, had committed the murders but he is revealed to be the murderer and a Rahl follower. Zedd rejoins Richard and Kahlan after obtaining the key and repairing his relationship with his brother.
12	"Home"	Charlie Haskell	Stephen Tolkin	21 February 2009	114
Using a rare astronomical alignment, Darken Rahl has his wizard, Giller, cast a spell that places Richard under a dreamlike trance in an attempt to reveal the hidden location of the third Box of Orden. Under the spell, Richard believes he is home in Hartland and begins to tell of his past months adventures. Darken Rahl, under the guise of a childhood infatuation, pushes him to disclose where he hid the Box of Orden. Zedd is powerless to break Rahl's hold over Richard so a desperate Kahlan admits the truth to Richard — she loves him. Kahlan's tears break through to Richard's dreams and he is able to at last see the truth and the face of Darken Rahl. He rips out of his dream state in time to recover the Box of Orden before it falls into Darken Rahl's hands. This episode is a clipshow.
13	"Revenant"	Geoffrey Cawthorn	Erin Maher & Kay Reindl	28 February 2009	112
Zedd leads Kahlan and Richard to the tomb of a past Seeker named Kieran, where he plans to hide the third Box of Orden but they find Kieran's remains missing from his sarcophagus. After they are led by the spirit of Kieran's Confessor, Viviane, to his remains, Zedd undoes the spell that prohibits Kieran's soul from going to the underworld. Kieran's spirit possesses Richard and expels Zedd from the room. Kieran, in Richard's body, uses Kahlan as a vessel for Viviane. Zedd meets Kieran's former wizard, Amfortas, who explains to him that the thousand-year old legend of Kieran and Viviane is not as it was. After Viviane committed suicide to release Kieran, whom she had confessed, from her power, Kieran turned into a violent killer, forcing Amfortas to kill him and to keep his spirit from entering the underworld. With Amfortas' help, Zedd re-opens the door and forces both Kieran and Vivane to depart for the underworld. Zedd decides that the tomb is not a safe place to hide the Box of Orden, and that he will take it somewhere secretly by himself.
14	"Hartland"	Mark Beesley	Mike Sussman	7 March 2009	113
After reuniting with Chase, Richard and Kahlan return to Hartland to find that the D'Harans have taken control of everything. Despite the fact that most people in Hartland seem to think that the D'Harans are helping them, Richard, Kahlan, and Chase discover that the D'Harans have been taking dissenters prisoner, and feeding them to gars. Even though Michael, Richard's brother, first resists their efforts, he finally is convinced and helps them. Michael helps them, in particular, after the D'Harans discover that Richard is in Hartland by giving up his life to help them escape back to the Midlands.
15	"Conversion"	Andrew Merrifield	Chad Fiveash & James Stoteraux	14 March 2009	115
Giller attempts to recreate the Confessor's magic for Darken Rahl by experimenting with ancient magic on Rahl's prisoners. Dismayed by Giller's slow progress, Rahl decides to pay a visit. Richard, Kahlan, Chase and Devlin, a resistance fighter, rescue the prisoners from Giller's keep. Chase is struck ill when his wife Emma, whom Giller had performed one of his experiments on, unknowingly unleashes a form of Confessor's power on him. Upon discovering that Rahl will be arriving at the keep, Richard and Kahlan head there in hopes of killing Rahl and capturing Giller. They are captured when Giller proves resistant to Kahlan's Confessor power and Richard is defeated by Rahl in a fight. As Giller works to take Kahlan's Confessor power, Rahl reveals his plan to use it on Richard, triggering Kahlan into the "Con Dar" or "Blood Rage". She kills Giller and confesses Rahl's minions, forcing Rahl to retreat. After returning to Chase to give him Giller's potion, which will keep him safe from Emma's power, Richard and Kahlan receive a message from Zedd, who tells them to meet him in D'Hara.
16	"Bloodline"	Garth Maxwell	Nicole Paluga	21 March 2009	116
Zedd reunites with Richard and Kahlan in D'Hara after hiding the third box of Orden near the People's Palace to lure Darken Rahl out. Rahl's minions locate the box but are unable to retrieve it due to a magical shield. Rahl sends Denna to recruit a young woman named Jennsen, who is immune to magic. Denna forces Jennsen to retrieve the box by threatening to kill her mother but loses the box to Richard, Kahlan and Zedd. After Denna escapes with Jennsen's mother, Richard discovers that Jennsen is his sister and Zedd is their grandfather. In exchange for the third box, Denna helps Richard and Jennsen to steal the two boxes in Rahl's possession. When she attempts to take all three boxes, Richard assembles them and obtains the power to command others. Finding his mother dead, Richard is overcome with vengeance, and commands Kahlan to kill Denna and Rahl's soldiers to kill each other. Jennsen, horrified by Richard's actions, separates the three boxes to cease their hold over him. To keep the boxes apart, Zedd gives two boxes of Orden to Jennsen to protect, while they protect the third.
17	"Deception"	Chris Martin-Jones	Raf Green	28 March 2009	117
Richard and Kahlan return to the Midlands and come to the aid of a group of rebels whose homes have been destroyed by a new weapon created by Darken Rahl called the "Whisperer". Kahlan manages to confess a D'Haran soldier named Carver Dunn, who helps them to deduce that the Whisperers are being stored at a fort nearby. Richard infiltrates the fort using Carver's identity and discovers that a cargo of Whisperers is being sent from D'Hara to replenish the fort's supply. As Richard befriends the fort's captain, Kahlan becomes protective of Carver, who is later killed by one of the rebels. When Kahlan learns of the rebels' plan to use the intercepted cargo of Whisperers on villages loyal to Rahl for revenge, she goes to the fort to inform Richard, and together, they are able to stop the rebels in time. As Richard and Kahlan destroy the Whisperers, they reflect on the choices they made to save the innocent D'Harans.
18	"Mirror"	Jonathan Brough	Michael K. Sheeter (story) & Stephen Tolkin (teleplay)	25 April 2009	118
Gwildor, a common thief, uses a magic mirror to change his appearance to that of a D'Haran captain. He also causes two other thieves named Clayre and Frytss to appear like Kahlan and Richard in order to rob the people of Midlands. Upon seeing Richard and Kahlan, the thieves hatch a plan to steal the Sword of Truth. Clayre and Frytss succeed in stealing the sword but are captured by D'Haran soldiers after Gwildor betrays them. Clayre and Frytss escape only to be found by Zedd, who discovers that they are not Richard and Kahlan. Meanwhile, Richard and Kahlan are captured by D'Harans after being tricked by Gwildor's lover, Bianca. Zedd uses the mirror to pose as Bianca and attempts to trade Clayre and Frytss for Richard and Kahlan. When that fails, he tricks the D'Harans again by having Bianca appear as him, while they escape. Zedd changes Frytss and Clayre back to their original appearances before continuing on his journey with Richard and Kahlan.
19	"Cursed"	Mark Beesley	Chad Fiveash & James Stoteraux	2 May 2009	119
King Gregor, an ally of the Seeker, allows Shota to curse him with magic that transforms him at sunset into a beast called the Calthrop in order to protect his kingdom from Rahl's army. However, he is unable to control the Calthrop as it preys on the innocents, forcing Richard and Kahlan to kill him. Meanwhile, Zedd discovers from Shota that without the Calthrop, the D'Harans will be able to take over the throne. Upon the D'Harans' invasion, Zedd and Shota use magic to darken the sky, unleashing the Calthrop. Corah, who inherited the throne and the Calthrop curse from King Gregor, turns into the beast herself, driving the D'Harans away. Just as Corah decides not to hide the identity of the Calthrop from her people, Kahlan realizes that she must accept and learn to control her magic. After returning, Zedd reveals the existence of a second Book of Counted Shadows and that they must find it before Rahl.
20	"Sanctuary"	Garth Maxwell	Mike Sussman	9 May 2009	120
Richard, Kahlan and Zedd arrive at the library in which the remaining copy of the Book of Counted Shadows is hidden. To find it, they seek the help of a librarian named Livia, who suddenly disappears. A painter named James had use magic to transport her into a world he had created through a magical painting, where she reunites with her missing son, Aidan. After James explains that he was keeping Aidan safe, Livia informs him that she is needed at the library. James promptly returns to the real world to paint the library into their sanctuary, transporting everything inside it along as well. He is found by Richard and Kahlan, who he also transports into the painting. With Livia's help, Richard finds the Book. At first unwilling to return them to the real world, James is forced to when Rahl discovers the painting and burns it, but he himself is unable to escape. Richard begins reading the Book to understand the magic of Orden.
21	"Fever"	Jonathan Brough	Nicki Paluga	16 May 2009	121
Darken Rahl raids a village where Jennsen is living, looking for the Boxes of Orden. Jennsen, pursued, throws them into a lake. When Rahl's soldiers find her, they beat her mercilessly causing her to lose her memory. As Jennsen is nursed back to health, Rahl convinces her that Richard is evil in order to obtain the location of the boxes. Meanwhile, Richard, Kahlan, and Zedd enter a camp which has been struck by a plague, created by Darken Rahl. In exchange for the Seeker's head, he will provide them with the cure. As Zedd sets about healing the sick villagers, Richard retraces Jennsen's steps to the lake and is able to retrieve the missing boxes. Believing in Rahl's story, Jennsen follows his orders to steal the boxes from Richard. She succeeds but Richard captures her and manages to restore her memory. Rahl is out of options, so he sends orders for his army to pull back and to have Cara and her sisters of the Agiel summoned, as Richard sets about using the magic of Orden with Kahlan's help.
22	"Reckoning"	Michael Hurst	Ken Biller & Stephen Tolkin	23 May 2009	122
Richard puts together the three Boxes of Orden, while Kahlan confesses him. However, Rahl's Mord'Siths find them just as this happens. In the middle of the confession, Cara, the lead Mord'Sith, uses her Agiel on Richard. This combination of the powers of Orden, Confessor and Agiel results in a magical explosion that sends Richard and Cara 57 years into the future. Meanwhile, in the ensuing conflict, Zedd is killed by his own wizard's fire, and Kahlan is taken prisoner by Rahl. When Kahlan learns from Shota that the only way for Richard to return is to replicate the magical combination of Orden, Confessor and Agiel, she decides to conceive a child with Rahl. Kahlan gives birth to a son, Nicholas, who grows into a merciless tyrant. In the future, Richard joins forces with Cara to destroy Nicholas. They meet up with Shota, who tells Richard about the magical combination required to travel back in time. Nicholas fails to deter Cara and Richard from returning to the present, where they save Kahlan and Zedd, with Richard finally fulfilling the prophecy in defeating Rahl. The Boxes of Orden are destroyed.